FRIENDS OF BARKERVILLE Goldfields Historical Society Volume 14, Issue 3 - September, 2010

In this issue: *The winning essay for the Jerry McDonald Memorial Award *All about Dominion Day by Neil Vant * Barkerville Curatorial Projects – Summer 2010

IT’S BEEN A BUSY SEASON IN BARKERVILLE

Barkerville has been very busy with many events to take part in. It was a very busy Dominion Day, with many activities such as a parade, a BC Provincial Heritage Fair display and parade, children’s games and fireworks. There was also a group of Morgan Roadster Cars called “Morgan’s Over America “who came and stayed in Barkerville overnight as part of their organized road trip. At the end of July/beginning of August, ArtsWells was again a rip roaring success, with many performances taking place in Barkerville also. Winners in the BC Provincial Heritage Fair parade down the street. There were two book readings by authors – one on July 30th by Lynne Stonier Newman and the other on August 1st by Ann Walsh, who read from her Barkerville children’s novels in the Barkerville Hotel. On August 6th, it was St. Saviours Institute Night, where the employees and street theatre people perform in the Church, with many laughs and some funds raised for the Church, as well as refreshments afterwards. On August 15th the Masons had their annual Church Parade Morgan’s parked at Barkerville The next major event was the Autumn Moon Festival, which was also quite successful, although marred by a great deal of smoke in the air. The fire risk also caused the fireworks to be cancelled. We have had every kind of weather condition this summer – which is usual – now it seems fall is here.

From rain to heat to smoke!

1 EDITOR’S CORNER EXECUTIVE Well, this newsletter is a bit President: Doug Perdue 250-747-1695 overdue, but with juggling Vice-president: Richard Wright 250-994-3340 the store and demands of a Secretary: Grant Johannesen 250-992-1296 busy household (my family Treasurer: Tony Bensted 250-992-5958 has been visiting) something OTHER DIRECTORS: Lana Fox, Robert Grady, Andy had to wait. It’s been a great Motherwell, Dave Jorgensen, Rick Galbraith, Jim Gorsline, season out in Barkerville, Larry Gardner with lots of interesting people, good weather – until lately and CONTACT INFORMATION: The Friends of Barkerville- lots of fun and well attended events. There has been so much Cariboo Goldfields Historical Society (commonly abbreviated to going on that it is hard to pick just one thing to talk about. I FOB) has its registered mailing address as P.O. Box 4152, appreciate all those who contribute to the newsletter and Quesnel, B.C.V2J 3J2. FOB staff is in the Barkerville Hotel encourage those who haven’t to think about doing so. th (mid-May to end-September), phone 250-994-3360. In the off Barkerville will be open until September 26 , but is still open season, contact any executive director. Our e-mail address is: to wander through – and don’t forget about Victorian th [email protected] . Christmas – this year on December 11, 12 & 13 /10. Maybe Our web site is: www.barkerville.bc.ca we will see you then! MEMBERSHIP: A FOB membership application is invited Presidents Report – by Doug from anyone wishing to share our enthusiasm for preserving, Perdue presenting and promoting knowledge, events and memorabilia of Fall is on its way. The Friends of Barkerville Annual General the original and its hub city, Barkerville. Meeting can’t be far behind. The Membership gives the member (i) a voice and a vote at the AGM is scheduled for 6:30 pm, Annual General Meeting, (ii) opportunities to attend executive October 7th at the Wee Chippie meetings, (iii) the right to run for office, (iv) discounts at Restaurant in Quesnel. This is a associated historical attractions and businesses. great opportunity to become more DIRECTORS MEETINGS: Most of our regular meetings are involved in the day to day scheduled for the first Thursday of each month at @5:30pm in operations of the Friends. If you Quesnel. There will be a couple of meetings a year in would like to become a director, let Barkerville. one of the current directors know MERCHANDISE: The Friends of Barkerville offer souvenirs, and they can fill you in on what is gifts, historical books and memorabilia for sale from the involved. You are also welcome to come to the AGM to find Barkerville Hotel during the Town's open season and Christmas out what the Friends have been up to for the year. Remember weekend. ‘the world is run by those who show up.” The Friends have THE NEWSLETTER is FOB's medium for presenting the been busy over the summer negotiating a trail maintenance society's mandatory publications and general news to members. agreement with the Government for the historic trails around It is published three times a year, exclusively to FOB members Barkerville. The agreement will give us the opportunity to and free of charge. It is internet published on the FOB webpage, manage the types of use on the trails. If we go ahead with an or is mailed to members without computers. The Editor is Cathy agreement there will be some “work” involved to hike the trail Eisma. Inquiries, letters and contributions can be sent directly to network and identify any safety and maintenance issues that her at [email protected], phone 250-994-3283, or can be should be addressed. If you are on the trails, an email to the submitted to The Editor, c/o FOB. (See Contact Information) Friends would be helpful if you see something that you think CREDITS: All material in THE NEWSLETTER is copyrighted needs some work. The maintenance work at the old by FOB and the contributor in common, unless otherwise noted. Barkerville cemetery went ahead this summer. The trails in the The contributor is the editor, unless otherwise noted. The front cemetery have been cleaned up which makes getting around a cover illustration is by Diana Gauthier. The Friends of lot easier. The Friends has contributed funding to the Barkerville and the editor especially, is always looking for help. maintenance that has been carried out under the direction of The organization is involved with restoration and maintenance the Barkerville Heritage Trust. The Seven Summits hike and th of artifacts, buildings, machinery, work, publications, and ride is scheduled for September 18 . This is a good chance to archival work, supporting town activities, fostering growth, and experience some of the trails around Wells and Barkerville. If offering volunteer assistance at many events. The newsletter you aren’t so energetic, volunteers are also needed for the needs society news and wishes to give our reader’s interesting event. Check out www.whitegold .ca for more information on stories along with it. Thank you. the Seven Summits. The Annual General Meeting will be held October I hope you have enjoyed the summer and have a great fall. 7th, 2010, 6:30pm at the Wee Chippie Fish & Chips at 490 Carson Ave in Quesnel.

2 MEMBERSHIP FACTS Another season is almost past. this summer as you see lots of blue thumbs on Soon Barkerville will go into people on the street. hibernation for another winter Huckleberries seem not to be as abundant, but the but will open its doors again to size and quantity of the high bush was delicious. Victorian Christmas weekend, If anyone who has hiked the above trails and has Dec. 11, 12 & 13. any suggestions or concerns please let us know as Membership to the Friends of we would like to address these if possible. Barkerville has surpassed last year’s total of 1130 to 1228 this season. Once again Barkerville and the Cariboo Gold thank you to all who continue to renew and support the Friends and Town of Barkerville. Rush played a significant role in the The bulk of our membership is Quesnel residents founding of the Province of British followed by Prince George and Williams Lake. Our Columbia and newsletter mail-out list is down considerably which is good for the Friends as this helps to cut costs on a Canada reaching from Coast to postage and envelopes. The majority of our members Coast! use the internet to access and down load our By Neil Vant, MLA newsletter. Till next time…. for Cariboo 1986- 1991 and Minister of Transportation FOB TRAILS REPORT and Highways FOB is looking into a “Recreation during that era Trail Maintenance Partnership Neil is Past Master Agreement” with the Ministry of of Cariboo Lodge Tourism, Culture and the Arts. This No. 4 and is a Founding Director and the Immediate Past Chairman of the Barkerville agreement will cover the 1861 Gold Heritage Trust. Rush Pack Trail, Grouse Creek Trail, Van Winkle Trail, Williams Creek Dominion Day now called Canada Day has been an Trail, Powder House Trail, and a important day in Barkerville since 1868! Indeed, before the section of the Cariboo Waggon Road. FOB Directors Crown Colony of joined Canada as a Province in 1871, Barkerville’s residents pioneered the July will over the next couple of meetings discuss the 1st Celebrations of the Confederation of Canada. The contents of the agreement and decide if this is the way patriotic Americans that had come north for the Gold Rush we would like to see these trails maintained. As in made a big deal of July 4th and old Glory flew high in most agreements there are sections that some wording Barkerville. This made many residents in Barkerville is unclear to its exact meaning, a future meeting with nervous as in 1844 the Americans had seized the Oregon Territory which was loosely held under the Hudson’s Bay the Ministry will hopefully clear up any of these. Company and at the time the American President James K. There is possible problems where there is other users Polk said :- “ Fifty Four –Forty or Fight!” This would have such as horses and the dreaded ATVs, these can the American Territory come up to just north of Prince destroy a hiking trails surface and give a trail George! In 1867 President Andrew Johnson purchased unappealing sections. (Horses have not been a Alaska from Russia so American expansion in the west and north was on their agenda. The British wisely thought they problem on these trails since the 1800s but could, if better form the Crown Colonies and negotiated with the heavy usage reoccurred). The Barkerville area has Americans a line at the 49th parallel. Luckily the American been lucky not to have the fire problems the rest of Civil War had delayed the completion of a transcontinental BC has had this summer, although we did have the railway to the American west coast or more movement of smoke and even that was not as bad as most areas. Americans westward and northward would have occurred. Meanwhile, in Barkerville a member of the Cariboo Hikers must have enjoyed the high bush blueberries Masonic Lodge, Bro. W.W. Hill a painter by trade

3 and an ardent “Unionist” (in strong favour of British Columbia Confederation. He would have to use a great deal joining Canada) designed what I would call the first Canadian of skill to get everyone to agree to British Ensign flag described as:- “ a Union Jack in the fly, and a beaver Columbia joining Canada. No less that 104 surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves, on a white background” 1 merchants in Victoria had petitioned This “Canadian” flag was put up on the highest flag pole in the U.S. President to annex the Colony in November of Barkerville far above the American flag for the very first 1869. Others like J.S. Helmcken had expressed strong anti- Dominion Day Celebrations in all of Canada on July 1st 1868! confederation sentiments and wanted British Columbia to Canada’s first birthday party was held in Barkerville in the Crown stay a crown colony. Colony of British Columbia! This same flag was Barkerville and Cariboo held fast to the pro-confederation also flown on movement as we find this evidence in Margaret A. February 20th, 1869 Ormsby’s “British Columbia”: A History” in which she and subsequently on refers to Governor Musgrave’s long journeys in his attempt the flag pole atop the to win support of the Colonists to join Canada:- “At newly re-built Barkerville he ended his journey. All along the way, the Masonic temple in Governor’s welcome had been warm, but Barkerville gave Barkerville. him his most enthusiastic reception. The town was en fete. Unfortunately the Evergreen arches spanned the streets; the firemen had original temple had constructed an arch of ladders and buckets, the Chinese has burnt in the great fire of September 16th, 1868 when all of festooned another with fire-crackers, banners lettered Barkerville had burnt except for the extreme south end of the “Union Forever” and “Success to the Dominion” proclaimed town. Alas, W.W. Hill did not live to see his dream of the the sentiments of the citizens.” Union of British Columbia with Canada in 1871 as he died at Cottonwood House on October 23, 1869. The following Recently, it has come to light that according to the 1924 picture taken on July 1st, 1935 shows a more recent Dominion minutes of the National Historic Sites and Monuments Day Celebration with races on the Main Street of Barkerville. Board of Canada that Barkerville is a site of National The Masonic Hall is on the left with the lower part rented out Historical Significance. The building of the first Cariboo for a Barber Shop and a News Stand and Confectionery. Highway (the Cariboo Waggon Road) by the Royal Engineers was firmly noted as an event of National Historical Significance and somehow Barkerville the destination of that road was overlooked. At last the significance of Barkerville is coming to light and the largest historic site in British Columbia is being appropriately recognized by the Federal Government.

Every year on July 1st Dominion Day will be celebrated in Barkerville with a great birthday cake for Canada made in our very own Gold Fields Bakery and a parade and races etc. Just think if it wasn’t for Barkerville’s strong support for joining Canada in the early days Canada as we know it today might not even exist. We do indeed deserve a prominent place in the National Historical significance It is noteworthy that members of the Masonic order played a category! significant role in the formation of Canada. Our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald was a Mason. The second master 1. Cariboo Gold, J.T. Marshall.Grand Historian of G.L. of British of Cariboo Lodge in Barkerville Joshua Spencer Thompson was Columbia. 1967 the first Member of Parliament for Cariboo from 1871 until his death in 1881. Moreover, the first Premier of British Columbia, a RESTORED SAWMILL TO BE OPENED Member for Victoria City was also a Mason. I am referring to The Waterous Engine Works Sawmill, built in 1868 in John Foster McCreight. A friend of Sir John A. Macdonald was Sir Brantford, Ontario will be brought back to life as Anthony Musgrave who succeeded Frederick Seymour as 2:30pm on September 18th in Barkerville. The Governor of British Columbia. A former Governor of McKitrick Family donated it to Barkerville in the Newfoundland, Musgrave shared Macdonald’s enthusiastic vision 1969’s. The machine was restored by Quesnel Antique of a great Dominion that would extend from sea to sea. Musgrave, Machinery Park and was funded by the Federal therefore arrived in the colony ready to bring about it’s entry into Government & Western Economic Diversification .

4 This is an email from a visitor who spoke to us about the piano in the Barkerville Hotel and about the striking resemblance to his friends’ parents piano. He also enclosed some photos and was gracious enough to allow us to print them in our newsletter.

“Thank you for being so gracious in allowing my friend Ted to play the piano in your general store. It was a real highlight in his first experience of Barkerville.

I have attached few photos of the piano we were telling you about that his parents own. There isn't much of a story STORE REPORT – behind the piano. The only information that they have on it is that the piano BARKERVILLE HOTEL was purchased from two gentlemen in Miami The store in the Barkerville Hotel has been that had to sell it due to relocation and successful this season, despite the a lack of space. They sold the piano to economic downturn. Some of the most Ted's parents almost 40 years ago for a total of $750.00 from which I gather is a popular items were our bath salts & soap; steal at that price. jams & jellies; our new kitchen corner with dishcloth’s and towel & tea cozies Hope you enjoy the photos and we look and our new hand knit woolen hats, forward to receiving a copy of your news slippers, mitts & socks. We are still open letter "Friends of Barkerville". Just on th a side note, I did mention you may have a for business until September 26 from 10 web site of which they may be able to – 4. Come on out and support the Friends obtain more information from the of Barkerville and help Barkerville to identification number. I do hope you may grow. have had some success in locating.”

Thank you again! Mark Robinson

5 Barkerville Curatorial Projects – Summer 2010 – $5,000 in monetary value. While this is still under W.G. Quackenbush, Curator investigation by the RCMP, a tip from a concerned citizen has provided a good lead to the culprit’s door. We are This summer was business as usual with a few extra hands hoping that the artifacts will be returned unharmed. Of with funding from Young Canada Works and Canada particular concern is the fact that all of these items have Summer Jobs funding. Of the student helpers, Mica direct connection to people who were important in the Jorgenson and Jacob Moffatt were the Conservation development of Barkerville. We in the Curatorial Cleaners – arriving at 7AM and keeping the exhibits clean. department have taken it very hard, as had all of the staff, as Bethany Scott was processing photographs in anticipation of our hearts are tied to the things that we work with. These mounting more onto our web site. And, Mike Szepvolgyi things present us with elements of awe and wonder and it was cataloguing our backlog of archaeologically collected becomes most personal when something violates that artifacts, as well as assisting in the Chinese Garden communion with the past and our humble attempts to excavations. Our summer programs in Archaeology and the convey this through exhibiting and caring for the artifacts. Library-Archives were operated by Mike Will and Mandy Kilsby respectively. The full time staff of Anne Laing UPCOMING EVENTS: (design, signage, planning and exhibit maintenance) and - The 7 Summits Bike & Hike Challenge – Duane Abel (cataloguing, planning, ground and exhibit th maintenance and all round Curatorial Assistant) kept things September 18 th operating relatively smoothly. - Also on September 18 – Amazing Race Event called the Williams Creek Fire Brigade Day. Mr. Will’s excavations in the Chinese Gardens may have th *The Hotel is one of the stations. uncovered the remains of a 19 century Chinese residence th that may have burnt down. The material recovered also - September 18 – Opening of the Waterous Engine includes a cistern that appears to have formed part of the Works Sawmill th system used to water the garden terraces. A couple of 1930s - Last day of Theatre Royal Shows – September 26 photographs show a building near here, but it has since been - The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of identified as a chicken coup that was removed in the early Barkerville will be held October 7th, 2010, 6:30pm 1980s. The principle time diagnostic elements, machine cut th at the Wee Chippie Fish & Chips at 490 Carson nails suggest the building was constructed in the 19 Ave in Quesnel. century and charred wood suggests that it burnt.

Ms. Scott’s perseverance at reviewing the photographs that have been digitized has identified several thousand more that we can publish as owned by Barkerville on our web Don’t forget about The Cariboo by the Carload site. There will be close to 4000 photographs that will soon during the month of September. Car loads of up to be available for viewing. 6 people pay $30.00 and Van loads of up to 16 I should note that a few of the old gardens are starting to passengers pay $60.00. So load up your friends and take shape under Mandy Kilsby’s guidance. The big issue family and come on out to Barkerville and celebrate is what will survive the winters (favoring perennials) and another great season! what the Columbian Ground Squirrels won’t eat (as well as the people who plant their feet – evidently the feet don’t grow and are invasive to boot). Mandy is finding the gardening a great break from cataloguing books, reference files and artifacts and gets her out onto the site. Mandy has been working in the Curatorial team, on and off, for several years now and her work has led to a much smoother flow of information and knowledge about the site both for the visitors and staff.

J.H. Todd’s seven shot pistol was stolen from the Nicol Hotel along with a derringer in July. Smoking related items – two ornate wooden pipes – where stolen from a Chinatown exhibit and a match box/cigar cutter were taken along with a very old cigar from another exhibit at the same time. In total, the loss is invaluable in historical terms, but is estimated at around

6 Participating organizations in the reciprocal membership program

Barkerville Historic Town Kelowna Art Gallery Touchstones: Nelson Museum of Art & Barkerville, BC www.barkerville.ca Kelowna. BC www.kelownaartgallery.com History - Season pass to Barkerville Historic Town - Two for one admission Nelson, BC www.touchstonesnelson.ca - 50% off admission, 10% discount in the gift shop Friends of Barkerville (Barkerville Hotel Vernon Public Art Gallery Barkerville, BC www.barkerville.bc.ca Vernon, BC The Nickle Arts Museum - 10% discount in the gift store www.vernonpublicartgallery.com Calgary, AB www.ucalgary.ca/~nickle - 10% discount in the gift shop - Free admission, 10% discount in the gift shop Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery Wells, BC www.imarts.com The Art Station Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies - 20% off IMA Merchandise - $5.00 discount to the Fernie, BC www.theartsstation.com Banff, AB www.whyte.org Arts Wells Festival (August long weekend) - 10% off Art Station Concerts, Films & - Free admission, 10% Discount in the Museum Store Workshops Quesnel & District Museum and Archives - Opportunity to exhibit in the Gallery Winnipeg Art Gallery Quesnel, BC www.quesnelmuseum.ca - 10% off in restaurant “The Blue Touque” Winnipeg, MB www.mag.mb.ca 50% Admission Discount and 10% off gift shop - Free Admission Boundary Museum PG Railway & Forestry Museum Grand Forks, BC McMichael Canadian Art Collection Prince George, BC www.pgrfm.bc.ca www.boundarymuseum.com Kleinberg, ON www.mcmichael.com 2 for 1 admission, excluding special events - Free admission (parking not included) Gallery 2 - The Grand Forks Public Art The Historic O’Keefe Ranch Gallery Old Log Church (Yukon Museum) Vernon, BC www.okeeferanch.ca Grand Forks, BC Whitehorse, Yukon -$2.00 off individual admission, $5.00 off www.grandforksartgallery.com www.yukonmuseums.ca/museum/oldlog family - Free Admission & 10% discount in gift shop - free admission & 20% off in gift shop - 10% off in gift shop - Membership privileges for Gallery Events Northwest Museum of Art & Culture Art Gallery Kootenay Gallery of Art, History & Science Spokane, WA www.northwestmuseum.org Kamloops, BC www.kag.bc.ca Castlegar, BC www.kootenaygallery.com - $2.00 off adult admission, $1.00 off senior & student - Free admission - Free admission, 10% discount in the gift shop admission

Penticton Art Gallery Langham Cultural Centre Stonerose Interpretive Centre & Eocene Fossil Penticton, BC www.pentictonartgallery.com Kaslo, BC www.thelangham.ca/artgallery.ca Site, Republic, WA www.stonerosefossil.org -Free admission, 10% discount in the gift shop - Membership Benefits - dig for free & 10% discount in gift shop

Updated September 11, 2110